Means and method of window frame installation



March 6, M. ZERBE MEANS AND METHOD OF WINDOW FRAME INSTALLATION Filed Jun 16, 1958 Fig. I 2 INVENTOR.

RICHARD M. ZERBE Unite tts 3,023,464 MEANS AND METHOD F WINDOW F INSTALLATKON Richard M. Zerbe, Box 162, Julian, Calif. Filed June 16, 1958, Ser. No. 742,211 2 Claims. (Cl. 29-11) The present invention relates generally to window frames and more particularly to a means and method of installing window frames in walls, and yet more particularly to installation of frames with factory glazed sash.

In present building construction the majority of the window frames are prefabricated and installed as finished units into prepared wall openings. Gften the frames are completely glazed and must be handled carefully to prevent glass breakage. In the case of frames made from aluminum or other such materials, the fina-l finish, such as anodized color treatment, is normally applied during manufacture and is often damaged during handling, aluminum frames in particular being subject to electrolytic or corrosive action due to moisture in the surrounding wall structure. Thus great care must be exercised during the final stages of building construction to prevent splashing of paint, mortar, or other materials on the windows and frames, it being common to spend considerable time cleaning the windows in present methods of construction. The invention described herein provides for complete protection of window frames, glazed or unglazed, at all times until construction is complete and prevents moisture in surrounding wall structure from initiating electrolytic action or similar damage to the frames, yet does not interfere with installation or obstruct light passage through the window openings.

The primary object of this invention, therefore, is to facilitate such installation while preserving the glass and frames in clean condition. This general object is achieved by having the window frame enclosed in a protective bag which is left on the frame when the same is installed in a wall opening, remains on the frame while the building construction is completed, the large opposing panel portions of the bag constituting shields for the frame and glass, these panel portions or shields being later cut away leaving the edge portions of the bag as a permanent and useful part of the wall.

Another object of this invention, ancillary to the preceding object, is to facilitate the installation of flashing around the window frame. The edge portions of the protective bag, which must be moistureproof, serve as a vapor barrier between the window frame and the porous portions of the wall structure, these edge portions of the bag remaining in the wall and replacing the flashing of paper or the like normally used. The vapor barrier thus accomplished is obviously more nearly perfect than that pro vided by prior methods.

Another object of this invention is to provide a protective bag which is transparent or at least translucent so that light is admitted through the windows while the protective covering is in place.

A further object of this invention is to provide a protective bag which permits examination of windows and frames at any time, so that in the event of damage, responsibility is more easily determined.

Another object of this invention is to provide a protective bag which is adapted for fabrication from many different materials, so that the choice of material can be according to the dictates of availability and price considerations, the exact sizes and proportions being matters easily determined to suit particular conditions and needs.

Another object of this invention is to provide a protective bag which is practicable and inexpensive to manufacture.

3,fi23,464 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 Finally, it is an object to provide a protective bag of the aforementioned character which is simple and convenient to apply and use and which will give generally efficient and durable protection at all times.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawing which forms a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a window frame enclosed in a protective bag, the bag being partially cut away;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the head and sill portions of the frame installed in a Wall.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the window frame 10 as illustrated is of a well known type of aluminum construction and is merely an example since any window, such as casement, jalousie, sliding or other numerous types, of wood, metal or other materials may be treated as described herein. Further, the frame may be glazed or unglazed according to requirements. As illustrated, the frame 10 is of the easement type having a front face 12, a rear face 14 and an outwardly extending peripheral flange 16. The frame 10 is completely enclosed in a protective bag 26 of thin flexible material such as sheet plastic of the tough pliable type used in many kinds of bags and containers. The material is preferably transparent to permit examination of the contents, although with the usual thin plastic sheets or even a translucent material may be satisfactory. No seams have been shown in the bag 20 since these can be at any desired position according to the method of manufacture and do not interfere with the use of the bag.

It will be obvious that the bag 20 may be of unitary construction with the edge portions 18 and the large opposing panel portions 19, 19 of one-piece construction, any suitable seaming means being satisfactory, but it is also noteworthy that the requirements for the edge portions 18 are primarily that they shall be flexible, moistureproof and reasonably tough to withstand tearing, while the requirement for the panel portions 19, 19 is primarily that they shall be transparent or at least translucent. It follows that the bag 24} will ordinarily be constructed from one section of clear plastic sheet material even though this bag does comprise more than one element when considered from a functional viewpoint.

The bag 20 is substantially larger than the frame 10 and the edge portions 18 extend well beyond the flange 16 to provide ample slack material to conform to the irregular contour at the periphery of the frame, when the frame and bag are installed. Enclosed in the bag 20, the frame 10 is well protected during storage and handling, and the condition of the frame and glass can be inspected at any time.

In FIGURE 2 a typical window opening structure is shown in which the upper portion of the opening is defined by a head member 22 to which sheathing 24 is attached, the sides or jambs of the opening being similar. The lower portion of the opening has a sill member 26 to which further sheathing 24 is secured. The frame It] is fitted into the opening, still sealed in its protective bag 20, and is secured by means of nails 28, or the like, through the flange 16 and into the sheathing and its support members. The outer finish layer 30, of stucco or the like, is applied over the sheathing 24 and built out flush with the front face 12 of the frame 1%. Also the inner finish layer 32, of plaster or similar material, is applied to the desired thickness. During these and associated operations the frame is fully enclosed and protected from soiling and damage inside the bag 20. It will be evident that the slack edge portions 18 of the bag-2d are now pressed against the contours of the frame 10 between the frame and the surrounding wall structure, so that the frame is completely separated from the structure by a layer of plastic material. This layer, actually the edge portions 18 extending well beyond the flange 16, provides a very effective moisture barrier, as indicated at 56, against the porous stucco 39, or the like, and eliminates the necessity for inserting paper flashing, as is normally done when installing windows. The moisture barrier 36 prevents electrolytic action and corrosion of metal frames otherwise caused by moisture in the materials used in the wall especially during their drying period. The frame 10 is protected from paint splashes, dust and other damaging products of building construction, yet the bag 24) does not materially interfere with admission of light to the interior of the building so that workmen require little or no artificial lighting during the completion of the building.

When the building is completed, the large, opposed panel portions 19, 19 of the bag 29, having served their function as shields covering the windows, are cut away or otherwise stripped away, flush with the wall surface as indicated at edges 40, leaving the edge portions 18, including the moisture barrier portions 36 sealed into the wall permanently. Since the material of the bag 20 is extremely thin, the cut edges 40 are virtually invisible and do not detract from the appearance of the windows. Also, any wrinkles formed in the thin material at the corners of the frame 1% are flattened out by the covering portions of the external finish materials and are not as noticeable as ordinary flashing.

It should be understood that the wall structure illustrated is merely an example. Any type of Window frame and any suitable type of wall structure may be used.

It is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. In combination, as an article of commerce: a glazed window frame; and a bag, discrete from the glazing in the frame, completely enclosing said frame; said bag being substantially larger than the frame and having flexible, moistureproof edge portions to conform intimately with the edge contour of the frame when the window frame and bag are installed; said bag also including opposing, light-transmitting expendible shields in the form of oppos ing panel portions covering both sides of said frame which cover and protect the window frame and permit transmission of light therethrough until construction of a building, with the window frame therein, is finished; said panel portions being scissile and easily removed by cutting to leave said edge portions in place.

2. In combination, as an article of commerce: a window frame having a peripheral mounting flange; a pane of glass firmly aflixed in said window frame to define a frame-and glass window assembly; a light-transmitting bag completely enclosing said frame-and-glass window assembly, said bag being substantially larger than said frameand-glass window assembly, the sealed edges of said bag extending substantially beyond the corresponding edges of said mounting flange, said bag incorporating expendable central panels; means, comprising said mounting flange, for positioning said frame-and-glass assembly in the window opening of a building structure with said mounting flange, and the edges of said bag being between and separating every portion of said flange and said frame, from said window opening of the building to cause the sealed edges of said bag to act as a vapor barrier and prevent moisture from said building from reaching said flange and frame; the material of said panels being scissile and said expendible central panels being easily removable by separation thereof along the lines of intersection of said panels and said building structure to expose said pane of glass to the atmosphere, whereby said central panels before removal transmit light into said building, but prevent said pane of glass from being contaminated by paint, plaster, and other materials used in the construction of said build- References Cited in the tile of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,256,818 Nile Feb. 19, 1918 2,004,878 MacNaught June 11, 1935 2,315,001 Logan Mar. 30, 1943 2,817,399 Donaldson et al Dec. 24, 1957 

